And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” And he rose and went home. When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.
“God’s grace and forgiveness, while free to the recipient, are always costly for the giver…. From the earliest parts of the Bible, it was understood that God could not forgive without sacrifice. No one who is seriously wronged can “just forgive” the perpetrator…. But when you forgive, that means you absorb the loss and the debt. You bear it yourself. All forgiveness, then, is costly.” – Tim Keller
True forgiveness does not happen without sacrifice. What Jesus sacrificed to heal the paralytic—his reputation with the scribes and powers that be—pales in comparison to the cost of forgiveness that was required for Christ to take the sins of the world, or, as the quote says, for Christ “to absorb the loss and the debt.” Heading into this next week, is God calling you to costly forgiveness for someone in your life? Is there someone who God is calling you to forgive even if it is painful? Prayerfully seek this forgiveness. And if you need to talk through this forgiveness, contact your small group leader or a spiritual mentor to wrestle through this forgiveness together.